A Winter Lament

A Winter Lament

The full scourge

of winter’s biting blizzard

chews its way across

once green meadows,

as silver birches sleep

and branches of the strongest oak

dip their heads

to the weight of falling snow.

We clothe our embattled hands

to stave off the chill

from frozen fingers

that feel such acute pain.

We stoke the fires

to set before our hollow prayers

lest we drown

in sour dreams of lust

as we await

summer’s sizzling returning.

 

06/05/13

Reviews

[redflutterby]

Summers here so now we can complain about how hot it is. Did I mention its hot as hell out there?? Lol.... Great poem John.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

We are never satisfied with our weather are we? I hear Death Valley' was in the 50s!

[A. H. Pinley]

Very nice poem. You captured the scene well. Great work!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thanks AHP

[.]

This is a beautiful poem, John. The imagery is rich, and I can relate to the overall theme of longing for warmer weather both metaphorically and physically. Great job--as always.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you Cord

[Ravyne Hawke]

A very lovely tale of wintery woe and the longing for summer. Beautiful imagery and flow. I really enjoyed this one.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Glad you enjoyed it Lori. We are out of winter now but it is wet and dull but at least not so cold and dark early and late.

[Ravyne Hawke]

We are trying to rush right into summer here. Glad it has warmed up some for you.

[s y e]

Well I'm glad I wasn't out in the lovely WARM weather! Think you chased it away..... Grrrr, aw well, it'll come back and ill make sure I get at least 5 minutes in case you pull another trick on it! Ha, kidding.

Lovely poem, John.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

No tricks my dear. I just get out when it shines.

[SHEEMA HUQ]

Pain and lust, don't go hand in hand in my book, a complex poem, well written as usual with some super phrases

[John Alexander McFadyen]

That very much depends on the pain and lust, asI said to Leslie below. The pain in this case is the pain when hands are numb with cold and are warmed and go into spasm but also the pain of suffering winter. Thanks Sheema

[Leslie Philibert]

Like this too, especially the lyrical first lines, they stand on their own, I think, without the need for the fire/lust last lines, you can write very well without the sexual element !

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thanks Leslie. Not all my work has that sexual element. In this case I left it open to interpretation. Lust is not a sexual term alone. I lust after summer as I love the sun. But in the spring/summer there is also the added amour factor that being less inhibited by darkness, winter clothes and cold we find ourselves far more open to the possibilities.

[Frieda P]

You always stoke the fires with such finesse John, glad the cold is on it's way out, waiting that sizzle of summer myself. Nicely pen'd as always.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thanks Frieda. Yesterday was the nicest day of the year so far. Back at work today and it will be nice before the rain and winds wheel in from the west tomorrow and Thursday.

[quinfinn]

brr, it's freekin' freezing in here.....you definitely transported me to the chill of winter with this awesome write. well penned, my friend!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Ha Quin you soft types can't take the winter lol! Many thanks!

[quinfinn]

true, i hate the cold....

[Marc Marlon Villaflor]

Wow! lovely! I can feel every words in this piece. Seems I lie in bed all night just be with my love waiting for the winter's fade in the dawn. Love this write it is whimsical. :)

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you so much Marc. I am guessing your winter has no frost or snow!

[Marc Marlon Villaflor]

lol :) it is also cold here in Middle east during winter but not frost lol. but I experienced very cold winter in middle east.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

My son has friends in Dubai and has been there many times. He loves it.

[Marc Marlon Villaflor]

Yeah it is good here :) and it is near to your country.